The AIJU Institute is participating in the European project TREESURE, an initiative that will develop an advanced decision-support tool to prevent risks associated with tree falls in urban environments. The combination of satellite data, IoT sensors, and active involvement from administrations, professionals, and citizens will strengthen the safety and resilience of cities against extreme weather phenomena.
Urban trees are essential for cities' adaptation to climate change, improving air quality and biodiversity. However, the increase in extreme weather events heightens risks to their stability. The TREESURE project aims to anticipate these challenges with an intelligent system that will monitor tree health, identify risk situations, and facilitate a rapid and coordinated response.
The solution will combine data from satellites of the European Space Agency (ESA), IoT sensors, and digital tools. This will enable early alerts, analysis of tree status, and updated information for preventive action. The project will also incorporate nature-based solutions to improve tree stability and bridge the gap between scientific information and urban green space management.
AIJU leads user research, co-creation, and human-centered design activities. Through participatory methodologies, it will collaborate with municipal managers, emergency responders, and citizens to ensure the developed tools meet real needs. According to Clara Blasco, project lead at AIJU, 'urban resilience does not depend solely on technology, but also on how people interact with it'.
To validate the tools' effectiveness, AIJU will employ techniques such as usability testing and A/B testing. Aitana Francés, an area technician at AIJU, notes that 'we want technology to transform complex data into interpretable and actionable information,' aiming for administrations, professionals, and citizens to have effective tools for early action.
The TREESURE project, funded by Horizon Europe and coordinated by the University of Florence, brings together universities, technology centers, administrations, and companies from Spain, Italy, and Romania. AIJU contributes its expertise in user research and co-creation methodologies to reinforce the project's human-centered approach.
The results of TREESURE will improve urban tree management, reduce risks to the population, and optimize preventive planning. They will contribute to preserving the ecosystem services provided by urban trees and promote safer, more sustainable cities in the face of climate change.
